If Asomugha keeps that up, cracking the 49ers roster shouldn't be a problem once training camp ends.

Saturday, the 49ers suited up in pads for the first time, and that allowed Asomugha to show the press-coverage skills that once made him an elite cornerback.

"It's definitely good for when you want to be aggressive, to have the pads back on," Asomugha, 32, said. "Until now, it's been just working on your feet and hands. Now the aggressive part starts."

Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha watches from the sideline during the 49ers training camp at the niners training facility in Santa Clara on Saturday, July 27, 2013. (John Green/Bay Area News Group)
(
JOHN GREEN
)

The 49ers return all five of cornerbacks from last season's NFC-winning team, and although Asomugha brings 10 years of experience, he must show the top-notch form he developed his first eight seasons with the Raiders rather than his subpar level the past two years with the Philadelphia Eagles.

So far, Asomugha is pleased with how he has meshed with what he calls a "really nice" scheme, one that offers a seemingly balanced mix of man and zone coverages.

"One of the big things I've been happy about it is my ability to make plays on the defense so far, from this spring into summer," said Asomugha, who stands to make $1.35 million if he makes the opening-day roster.

Advertisement

Just as were the Raiders in Asomugha's rookie year 2003, the 49ers are coming off a Super Bowl defeat. Asomugha has never played on a playoff team. He senses something special with the 49ers, stating: "All 32 teams think this is going to be the year they win the Super Bowl. It's coming from a real place, here. I've never been around that."

Asomugha's 6-foot-2 frame isn't just benefiting the cornerback corps but also the 49ers' receivers. "That's going to be good work for us, because we go up against a lot of cornerbacks with that long body like his, those tall guys up north," wideout Kyle Williams said, referring to Seattle Seahawks cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner.

The early battle at wide receiver took unsettling twists, most notably with Williams sustaining a hamstring injury that sidelined him most of practice.

Williams declared himself "fine" afterward, adding he also was relieved at how his surgically repaired left knee responded from a hard landing on a 40-yard touchdown catch.

Meanwhile, rookie Quinton Patton practiced with a cast on his left hand's index and middle fingers, and second-year wideout A.J. Jenkins endured a rough session that included two drops.

Williams got hurt after racing hauling in that 40-yard pass from Colin Kaepernick while beating safety Eric Reid, the 49ers' first-round draft pick. Williams then had a trainer examine his right hamstring, while a grass stain covered his left knee, in which he tore the anterior cruciate ligament eight months ago.

"That was the first time I landed on it in a game-type situation," Williams said of his knee. "Everything out here is going to be a good test to reintroduce my knee to football-type action."

Former British discus thrower Lawrence Okoye practiced in pads for the first time in his life. Lining up at right defensive end, Okoye angered offensive tackle Kenny Wiggins by getting his hands too high into Wiggins' face. Defensive line coach Jim Tomsula also constantly reminded Okoye of other technique issues.

Marlon Moore and Ricardo Lockette made nice receptions in beating first-team safety Craig Dahl. During one dismal stretch in practice, however, receivers dropped five of 12 passes, including two by rookie tight end Vance McDonald.

Adam Snyder settled into the second-team right-guard slot Saturday after seeing time at the other line positions this camp. "I had offers to go start somewhere, I wanted to be here, and I'm comfortable with that (backup swing) role," said Snyder, who played last season in Arizona after spending his first seven seasons with the 49ers.

Left tackle Joe Staley teased Snyder about that one-year abroad with the Cardinals: "He made that one-time mistake, and he's come back to the good side."